Ephesians 2:19-22 — So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

We did a home remodel to our living room and kitchen area. It was quiet the undertaking. We removed walls to open up the floorplan so that more people could congregate together instead of being separated into many rooms. 

I am not a construction guy, but I was fascinated by all of the moving parts and pieces to the remodel. Not only does it take a variety of materials and tools, but a variety of people with different skillsets to bring the project together. Those collective parts, tools, and people come together to create the final product. A finished product that can now serve a greater function than before. 

Our passage today tells us that the Church is something like this. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus that the household of God is made up of Jews and Gentiles, built on the foundation of the gospel that the apostles and prophets preached. Jesus is the cornerstone and anchor that holds us together. We are built around Him. We are built together and become a dwelling place of God by the Holy Spirit. 

We are different people with different backgrounds, but we come together to form the church. And as the body of Christ in the world, we perform our role of showcasing Christ to the world. We are the body where the Living Christ dwells by His Spirit. This is an incredible role for us to play. But we do not play it alone. We play it together. Join yourself to the local church and join the mission we are made for.

Reflection & Journal:

- Why is the church able to have such diverse people become one with each other?

- How does the Holy Spirit empower our role as the church in the world?

- What role do individuals play in the purposes of the church in the plans of God?

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